Quick Summary:

  • Whether you want to play by the pool, have fun on the beaches, or explore a new town, California offers an impressive range of vacation ideas.
  • Popular family-friendly destinations include Laguna Beach, Carlsbad, San Diego, and San Francisco.
  • Plan your California vacation and visit museums, have fun at a theme park, or go on an adventure.
  • Stay at one of the best family resorts for an unforgettable experience.
  • Browse Northern and Southern California vacation ideas to find your perfect getaway.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Indian Wells - Miramonte Resort near Palm Springs - 2 hours from Los Angeles ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
Indian Wells - Miramonte Resort near Palm Springs - 2 hours from Los Angeles | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Miramonte Resort

2. Anaheim - Grand Legacy at the Park, a California Vacation Idea for Families ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Anaheim - Grand Legacy at the Park, a California Vacation Idea for Families | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Grand Legacy at the Park

3. Sausalito - Cavallo Point

Category: Activities
Sausalito - Cavallo Point | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Cavallo Point

4. Claremont Club & Spa

Claremont Club & Spa | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Claremont Club & Spa

5. El Capitan Canyon - 1 hour 45 minutes North of LA

El Capitan Canyon - 1 hour 45 minutes North of LA | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© El Capitan Canyon

6. The Philo Apple Farm

Category: Activities
The Philo Apple Farm | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© The Philo Apple Farm

7. The Oasis at Death Valley - 4 hours 30 minutes from Los Angeles

The Oasis at Death Valley - 4 hours 30 minutes from Los Angeles | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© The Oasis at Death Valley

8. Montage Resort in Laguna Beach

Category: Accommodations
Montage Resort in Laguna Beach | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Montage Resort

9. La Costa Resort and Spa - 1 hours 30 minutes from LA

Category: Accommodations
La Costa Resort and Spa - 1 hours 30 minutes from LA | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© La Costa Resort and Spa

10. Safari West - 1 hour 10 minutes from San Francisco

Safari West - 1 hour 10 minutes from San Francisco | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Safari West

11. The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco

12. 1 Hotel San Francisco

Category: Accommodations
1 Hotel San Francisco | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© 1 Hotel San Francisco

13. Hilton Checkers LA, CA with Kids

Hilton Checkers LA, CA with Kids | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Hilton Checkers LA

14. Bahia Hotel, San Diego

Category: Accommodations
Bahia Hotel, San Diego | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Bahia Hotel

15. Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite - 3 hours 20 minutes East of San Francisco

Category: Accommodations
Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite - 3 hours 20 minutes East of San Francisco | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Evergreen Lodge

16. Hyatt Regency Monterey on Del Monte Golf Course

Category: Entertainment
Hyatt Regency Monterey on Del Monte Golf Course | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Hyatt Regency

17. Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Fairmont San Francisco

18. Surfer Beach Hotel

Category: Accommodations
Surfer Beach Hotel | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Surfer Beach Hotel

19. The Fairmont Miramar

The Fairmont Miramar | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© The Fairmont Miramar

20. Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, California

Category: Accommodations
Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, California | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Lafayette Hotel

21. El Cordova Hotel

Category: Accommodations
El Cordova Hotel | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© El Cordova Hotel

22. Family Fun at Legoland Hotel in California - 1 hours 30 minutes South of LA

Category: Kids & Family
Family Fun at Legoland Hotel in California - 1 hours 30 minutes South of LA | California Vacation Ideas for Families
© Legoland Hotel

Summary & FAQ Indian Wells - Miramonte Resort near Palm Springs - 2 hours from Los Angeles Anaheim - Grand Legacy at the Park, a California Vacation Idea for Families Sausalito - Cavallo Point Claremont Club & Spa El Capitan Canyon - 1 hour 45 minutes North of LA The Philo Apple Farm The Oasis at Death Valley - 4 hours 30 minutes from Los Angeles Montage Resort in Laguna Beach La Costa Resort and Spa - 1 hours 30 minutes from LA Safari West - 1 hour 10 minutes from San Francisco The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco 1 Hotel San Francisco Hilton Checkers LA, CA with Kids Bahia Hotel, San Diego Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite - 3 hours 20 minutes East of San Francisco Hyatt Regency Monterey on Del Monte Golf Course Fairmont San Francisco Surfer Beach Hotel The Fairmont Miramar Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, California El Cordova Hotel Family Fun at Legoland Hotel in California - 1 hours 30 minutes South of LA

San Francisco, CA To           Driving Time
Yosemite National Park3 hours 20 minutes
The Town of Napa1 hour 10 minutes

From Los Angeles, CA To     Driving Time
Indian Wells, CA2 hours
Carlsbad, CA1 hours 30 minutes
Santa Barbara, CA1 hour 45 minutes
Death Valley National Park4 hours 30 minutes

Map:


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